TRPV1

TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 1) is a non-selective cation channel predominantly expressed in peripheral nociceptors, where it functions as a molecular sensor for noxious heat, capsaicin, protons, and other harmful stimuli, thereby contributing to pain detection and thermosensation^[1][2]. TRPV1 activation permits cation influx, particularly Ca²⁺, and integrates multiple nociceptive signals that drive neuronal excitation and inflammatory pain responses^[2][3]. Mechanistically, TRPV1 undergoes sensitization in response to inflammatory mediators and chronic pain states, enhancing the transduction of nociceptive signaling and promoting hyperalgesia through inflammatory signaling pathways^[3][4][5]. In disease models, altered TRPV1 activity has been implicated in inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, cancer-associated pain, and other disorders characterized by persistent nociceptive sensitization^[3][4][6]. Compared with related transient receptor potential channels, TRPV1 is distinguished by its robust activation by capsaicin and noxious heat, whereas TRPA1 primarily functions as a chemical irritant sensor despite frequent co-expression in nociceptive afferents^[7][8]. This functional specialization makes TRPV1 a central experimental model for investigating pain transduction, neuro-immune communication, and inflammatory signaling^[3][6]. For experimental applications, capsaicin is widely used as a selective TRPV1 agonist to activate or desensitize TRPV1-positive neurons, whereas antagonists such as capsazepine serve as pharmacological tools for dissecting TRPV1-dependent mechanisms and evaluating analgesic strategies^[6][9].